On a Facebook page called Free Amir Hekmati, the family released a statement Saturday morning, April 12, saying they received the news of Hekmati's conviction with a "heavy heart."

The New York Times reported Friday, April 11, Hekmati was retried in December and convicted of "practical collaboration with the American government" and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The former Marine has been incarcerated in Iran since 2011 and was sentenced to death on original espionage charges that were overturned.

"The Hekmati family respectfully asks senior Iranian officials to review Amir's conviction, and to resolve this grave misunderstanding by granting Amir his freedom and a safe return home," The Hekmati family said in the Facebook statement.

The family also said in the statement they are enduring the hardship of Hekmati's father's illness. Recently, the health of Hekmati's father, Ali' Hekmati, has been deteriorating as he is battling brain cancer. His doctor, Jami Foreback of McLaren Flint, wrote a letter to Iranian authorities stating he should be given the chance to see his son. Ali Hekmati was admitted to McLaren on March 25 after suffering an acute stroke.

Congressman Dan Kildee, D-Flint, released a statement Saturday, April 12, following the reports of Hekmati's secret retrial in Iran. Kildee has represented the Hekmati family in Congress, as well as advocated for his release while working alongside U.S. officials and his family.

Kildee called the charges against Hekmati "categorically false" in a statement. He said it was only recently that his constituent had limited access to an attorney and has been denied full consular access.

Hekmati's new lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei told The New York Times his client was never told about the retrial, conviction or sentencing. Tabatabaei said he only recently learned of the retrial during discussions with judiciary officials. The new lawyer was hired by Hekmati's family in an attempt to get him released from Tehran's Evin prison, the article said.

"Releasing Amir would be a tangible demonstration by Iran that it is serious about rejoining the global community," Kildee said in a statement. "He is innocent and has committed no crime. He is an American citizen who, with the permission of the Iranian government, traveled to Iran to simply visit his grandmother for the first time. He has been wrongfully imprisoned for 956 days."

In the Facebook statement, Hekmati's family said before receiving permission from Iran to visit, he submitted his application to the Iranian interests section in Washington, D.C. The family stated Hekmati was open about his military history as a Marine and contractor. The family said Hekmati was assured he would have no problems entering Iran.